GELITA Expert Interview – Natalie Leuwer, Category Manager, Nutrition and Health Ingredients

How long have you been at GELITA, and what does your role entail?

I’ve learned everything about GELITA from scratch. After joining as an apprentice in 2008, I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees with the company as a partner. I then worked in the Marketing & Communications department, handling digital communications, communications material such as videos, and market intelligence. These experiences were all excellent preparation for my role as Category Manager, where I’m now responsible for developing the product portfolio for food specialties. I ensure all new products are market-oriented and serve specific consumer requirements. The other key parts of my role are helping these new products grow and making already established products more successful.

Since 2018, GELITA’s Young Professionals Network has been cultivating the next generation of experts in gelatin and collagen peptide production. It’s all about ensuring that our customers continue to benefit from world-leading expertise now and in the future.

We have just published our eighth Sustainability Report, detailing our progress in 2022 and our future commitments to the environment and our employees, customers, and suppliers.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pure, natural collagen proteins and gelatin products, we take our ESG (environmental, social, and governance) responsibilities very seriously. GELITA’s core business is intrinsically based on the principle of the circular economy, because we refine by-products from the food industry to create valuable ingredients for many new applications.

Steam is required for the production of gelatin and collagen peptides. At GELITA’s Brazilian plant in Mococa, this is now generated by renewable biomass. The new biomass boiler has replaced a boiler operated with fossil fuels. By switching to biomass as a low-carbon alternative and improving efficiency, the site conserves resources.

We are in a world where the unexpected happens and things change fast. Following two years of COVID and lockdowns, we now have war in Europe, high inflation globally, the energy crisis, shortages of raw materials and, most likely, recession in some parts of the world. In our new Three Questions interview series, Thomas Muthny, GELITA’s Global Vice President Central Supply & Operations Planning, explains how we are tackling these supply chain challenges to ensure uninterrupted business for customers and suppliers alike.